News

Oil slick hits Santorini

More than three miles of beaches on the Greek island of Santorini have been polluted by oil following the sinking of the Greek cruise ship Sea Diamond last week  and clean-up crews are struggling to prevent a wider disaster across the Cyclades.

Engineers are racing to siphon about 400 tonnes of fuel oil from the ship’s tanks following the accident  but tour operator Harlequin says holidaymakers have no reason to cancel at this stage: “The ship sank on the approach to Athinios on the west coast of the island, and Santorini’s famous black-sand beaches are on the east. The situation could deteriorate and we are monitoring the operation closely so we can inform our clients of any change.”

The Sea Diamond’s sinking has drawn attention to the safety record of its owners, the Cyprus-based Louis Group, which has been involved in two other accidents in the past year. Its cruise